Device for providing mold indentations and cleaning mold forming apparatus



Aug; 25, 1953 J. VARAK DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOLD INDENTATIONS AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28; 1950 12-Sheets-Sheet l W W t k s mkwrw ww Z H V W 9 a 0 I Aug. 25, 1953 2,649,745

J. VARAK DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOLD INDENTATIONS AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1950 l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 in van for JaSep/z Va r'a'k gun as/Mani {I flak/(w Attorneys Aug. 25, 1953 .1. VARAK 2,649,745

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOLD INDENTATIONS AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1950 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 2

Jose ah Var ah [22 uzn to 2 By. A

W. Qemwnd Pukw A fforneys Aug. 25, 1953 J. VARAK 2,649,745

DEVICE'FOR PROVIDING MOLD INDENTATIONS AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1950 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 In van for Jasep/z Vdr'ak .gany, QM/mend A Horneys 12Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 25, 1953 VARAK DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOLD INDENTATIONS AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Filed Oct 28, 1950 mdrm u g- 00 01- no u co o Aug. 25, 1953 J. VARAK 2,649,745

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOLD INDENTATIONS AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1950 12 Sheets-Sheet e NNN 8N A 8 NNN mow 8N mum WNN NvN In van to?" Joseph Varak By:

?a./t nu mend 54 pan/(w Attorneys Aug. 25, 19 53 VARAK 2,649,745

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOLD INDENTATIONS AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Filed OCT 28, 1.950 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 mlHlhl III FIG.6

[NI/71 for Jase viz (fa/"a k By:

Qu/mmd ,mkw

A Hornevs Aug. 25, 1953 VARAK 2,649,745

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOLD INDENTATIONS AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1950 l? Sheets-Sheet 8 In uenzfor Attorneys Aug. 25, 1953 2,649,745

VARAK DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOLD INDENTATIONS AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1950 IZ'Sheets-Sheet 9 FIG.8

I82 20: I83 zoz/lsl BEE N 1220:): for

Affornevs Aug. 25,1953 J. VARAK 2,649,745

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOLDINDENTATIONS/ AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1950 l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 in van for .fojeplz Varak 3, a n8 @w mm 9047a Qumund Attorneys Aug. 25, 1953 J, vARAK 2,649,745

' DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOLD INDENTATIONS AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1950 12 Sheets-Sheet ll FIG. 14

Afforneys 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 Aug. 25, 1953 VARAK DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOLD INDENTATIONS AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Filed 001'. 28, 1950 mm wE Patented Aug. 25, 1953 DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOLD INDENTA- TIONS AND CLEANING MOLD FORMING APPARATUS Joseph Varak, Chicago, Ill., assignor to E. J.

Brach & Sons, Chicago, 111., a corporation Illinois Application October 28, 1950, Serial No. 192,800

Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in candy making machines and refers particularly to improvements in a so-called printing mechanism .or printer for a candy making machine.

In the making of some types of candies such as chocolate coated, cream centered candies, bonbons, or the like, the operation of forming the centers or cores of the candies is performed upon a machine. conveyor which carries a plurality of shallow trays, the trays being carried forwardly in seriatim. The trays are initially filled with a very fine discrete material such as starch and during passage of the trays forwardly upon the machine indentations are provided in the starch mass which are employed as molds for the candy centers. The operation of providing the indentations in the starch mass is referred to as printing and the device for carrying out this operation is referred to as a printer.

The present invention is particularly directed to a printing mechanism or printer for a machine of the class hereinbefore described.

Printers heretofore proposed comprised essentially a vertically reciprocating frame which moves periodically in a vertical direction at right angles to the horizontal plane of the conveyor. The sequence of operations involves the forward passage of a tray filled with starch to a position beneath the printer. The conveyor moves in a step-wise fashion and when each tray moves beneath the printer the printer fram descends. An impression device is carried at the lower portion of the printer frame and usually takes the form of a planar member which carries a plurality of projections on its lower face. When the printer frame descends toward the starch filled tray the projections enter the mass of starch in the tray and provide a plurality of indentations in the starch mass. The printer frame then raises and th conveyor carries the starch mold forwardly, positioning a new starch carrying tray beneath the printer. As the molded starch mass is carried forwardly the same passes beneath a hopper carrying confectionery in a fiowable state. The flowable confection from the hopper is deposited into the indentations and assumes the form of the indentations. Subsequently the tray carrying the starch and formed candy centers is dumped and the starch and the candy centers are separated. In normal operation the candy centers are subsequently coated with chocolate or the like and the starch is sifted and reused.

During the printing operation the descent of the printer frame and the penetration of the projections into the mass of starch tends to agitate The machine comprises generally a v the starch and the same being very finely divided a starch dust arises in the atmosphere in the vicinity of the printer. Recognizing that this condition is hazardous the art has heretofore employed vacuum canopies which are associated with the printer which are intended to carry away the starch dust which arises during the printing operation.

One of the important features of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved vacuum device associated with the printer whereby the starch dust is most efficiently removed during the printin operation.

Another important feature of the present invention resides in means upon the printer frame whereby the panel carrying the impression members may be quickly and conveniently indexed and secured to the bottom portion of the printer frame and can be quickly and conveniently removed therefrom when it is desired to position another printing panel upon the printer frame.

A further important feature of th present invention comprises a mechanism whereby the printing panel may be subjected to a plurality of impacts or raps during the period that the projections are entering the starch mass to facilitate compression and displacement of the starch when the indentations are formed.

A further important feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for quickly and conveniently raising the vacuum members and the rapping member when a panel carrying the projections is indexed and changed.

Other important features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and following detailed description.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a top plan view of the improved printer mechanism and Fig. 1A is a continuation of the device as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the printer mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2A is a continuation of the device illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 1A, showing the front portion of the printing mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detailed view illustrating the toothed wheel for operating the rapping mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on line 66 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken on line of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of d Fig. 2A illustrating particularly one of the vacuum devices.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9.l of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line lilli of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a detailed plan view of a portion of the rapping mechanism linkage.

Fig. 12 is a detailed sectional view taken line I2l2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 13 is a detailed plan view of the device illustrated in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a front elevational view of theprinter mechanism illustrating particularly the means for driving said mechanism from the candy making machine proper.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line l5i5 of Fig. 1%.

Referring in detail to the drawings and with specific reference to Figs. 14 and 15, l indicates generally the improved printing mechanism em- 'bodying the concepts of the present invention.

The mechanism l comprises a frame having opposite side members 2 and 3 and opposite end members ii and 5 (Figs. 1 and 1A). The frame of the printing mechanism is carried upon spaced L-shaped plates 6 and i, the upper portions 8 and 9 of .said L-shaped members being secured to the lower portion of the frame of the printing mechanism. opposite frame members of a conventional candy making machine of the type hereinbefore de scribed, the frame member i3 carrying spaced guides 12 and the frame member ii carrying similar guides I3. L-shaped plates 6 and i are vertically slidably positioned in the guides I 2 and 53 respectively.

As has been hereinbefore described, the candy making machine of which the frame members ii! and I5 comprise a part, includes a travelling chain conveyor M which moves in stepwise fashion beneath the frame of the printing mechanism 4. The conveyor it is adapted to carry trays it which are positioned upon the conveyor in spaced relationship along the upper pass of the conveyor. The conveyor during the normal operation of the conventional candy making machine moves in stepwise fashion and the trays i5 are so positioned upon the conveyor that at each stationary period of the conveyor a tray i5 is disposed immediately beneath the printing mechanism l. The trays 55 are filled with a finely divided starch is and during operation of the printing mechanism, said mechanism is lowered and raised to imprint indentations in the starch it carried in that tray i5 disposed immediately beneath the printing mechanism. After the printing mechanism i has completed its lowering and raising cycle the chain Hi moves for- Wardly to position the next adjacent tray i5 beneath the printing mechanism. The operation of imprinting or providing indentations in the starch it carried by the trays is thus repeated, the imprinted starch being carried forwardly in the trays to the next operation performed upon the conventional candy making machine.

An imprinting panel is employed for providing the indentations in the body of starch carried by the trays IE3. Referring particularly to Figs. 2, 2A and 7, the panel comprises opposite frame members ii and opposite end members 58 secured together to form a rectangular frame. A central longitudinal member is is secured at its opposite ends to the opposite end members i8, the member [9 being positioned midway belii and 5! indicate portions of L The vertical portions of the tween the opposite side members H and being parallel to said members. A pair of end slats 2!! are disposed transversely to the side members i! adjacent the end members i8. Between the slats 28 a plurality of mold supporting slats 2| are carried at their opposite ends upon the side members ii, the mold supporting slats 2i being disposed parallel to the end members is and being positioned parallel to each other and spaced relatively closely to each other to provide a plurality of slots 22. The mold supporting slats 2! are tapered at their upper portions as shown best in Figs. 2 and 2A. A wire screening 23 is secured to the end slats said screening being in contact with the lower faces of the mold supporting slats 2|. A plurality of mold projections 24 are carried upon the lower surface of the screening 23, said projections being disposed immediately beneath the respective mold supporting slats 2! and being spaced from each other both longitudinally and transversely. The projections 2 areadapted, when the printer descends, to enter the starch mass iii and provide a plurality of indentations therein. The projections 2d are preferably secured to the screening 23 by asuitable adhesive.

A pair of plates'25 (Figs. .2 and '3) are mounted upon the end member '4 of the frame of the printing mechanism. Each of the plates 25 is provided with a pair of elongated slots '26 for the reception of bolts 2'2 the arrangement being such that the plates may be adjustably secured to the end frame t. Each of the plates 25 carries a bearing 28 in which a shaft 29 is journaled.

A similar pair of plates 33 (-Figs. 1A and 2A) are mounted upon the end portions of the frame of the printing mechanism, the mounting arrangement being similar to the mounting of plates 25 upon the end member 5. Each of the plates 39 carries a bearing 31 in which a shaft 32 is journaled.

A link 33 (Fig. 3) is mounted at one end upon an end of shaft 29 to which it is rigidly secured by means of key 34. A link 35 is similarly secured at one of its ends to the opposite end of shaft 29, A pivot ,pin '36 connects the opposite end of link 33 to a link 31, the links 33 and 31 being pivotally secured together by means of the pin 35. A pin 33 pivotally connects link 35 with a link 35. The arrangement is such that links 33 and 3'! form a toggle arrangement as do also links 35 and 35. A bearing block 40 is pivotally carried upon pin 35, said bearing block being rigidly connected to a rod-4 l.

Adjacent the end member 5 of the printer frame a similar linkage arrangement is carried. A link 42 is keyed to shaft 32 and at its opposite end is pivotally connected to a link 43, thepivotal connection being effected by pivot pin 44. At the opposite end of shaft 32 a link i rigidly carried upon said shaft, said link being pivotally connected to a second link 46. The arrangement is such that links 42 and 43 form a toggle arrangement similar to the toggle arrangement comprising links 33 and 3'! and similarly links 45 and 46 form a toggle arrangement similar to the toggle arrangement comprising links 35 and 39. A bearing block d! is pivotally mounted upon pin 44 and is rigidly connected to a rod 48.

Link 3'! at its lower end is pivotally connected as at 49 (Figs. 2 and 11) to an arm Eiii which in turn is pivoted intermediate its length upon pin 5! carried in bearing 51. The opposite end of arm carries one end of :a jaw 52 which is adapted to engage one of the end members l8 of the panel which carries the projections 24. In similar fashion link 39 is pivotally connected as at 53 (Figs. 3 and 11) to an arm 54 which is pivoted intermediate its length upon pin 54 carried by bearing 55 and carries at its opposite end the opposite end of jaw 52.

At the opposite end of the frame of the printing mechanism link 43 pivotally connects with arm 55 as at 56 (Fig. 2A). Arm 55 is pivoted intermediate its length, as at 51, and at the opposite end of said arm one end of a jaw 58 is carried for engagement with the opposite end member |8 of the impression panel. A similar arrangement is associated with link 48, the arrangement being such that the panel carrying the projections 24 is gripped along the frame members l8 of the rectangular frame of the panel.

As has been hereinbei'ore described the bearing blocks 49 and 44 are rigidly connected respectively to rods 4| and 48. When the rods 4| and 48 are moved axially the toggle joints hereinbefore described are actuated. For example, referring particularly to Fig. 2, when rod 4| is moved outwardly with respect to the machine, arm 5|] is so rocked as to disengage jaw 52 from the end member l8. In view of the fact that link 33 is rigidly connected to shaft 29 the toggle arrangement comprising links 35 and 39 also function to release the jaw on the opposite side of the printer mechanism. Similarly when rod 48 (Fig. 2A) is moved axially outwardly jaw 58 is disengaged from the end member l8. When the respective rods 4| and 48 are moved axially iny wardly the toggle arrangements associated with said rods function to cause the respective jaws to engage the end members |8 and securely fasten the impression panel upon the lower portion of the frame of the printing mechanism.

An intermediate portion of the frame 3 extends upwardly above the upper portion of said frame member as shown best at 59 in Fig. 7. The portion 59 is provided with an apertured boss 8|] which is adapted to carry a pivot pin 6|. A segmental ratchet plate 82 having ratchet teeth 83 is secured to the portion 59 of the frame 3 by means of a plurality of screws 54. The segmental ratchet plate is provided with an opening adjacent its lower end and embraces the pivot pin 6 I. A set screw 35 rigidly secures the pin 6| to the ratchet plate 62.

A lever arm 68 is pivoted upon pivot pin 6| intermediate its length, said arm being provided with a sleeve bearing 61 which embraces the pivot pin 6| and permits the arm 63 to be freely oscillated about pin 3|. The upper end of arm 66 carries a handle 88 and said arm intermediate its length is provided with a slot 69 in which a projection 19 carried by a pawl H is slidably positioned. A pawl manipulating handle 12 is secured to the projection l9 by means of a screw l3 which threadedly engages in the projection and passes through a portion of the pawl manipulating handle l2. A pin '24 is positioned in an opening in pawl said pin being adapted to engage in an aligned opening in the pawl manipulating handle l2 whereby rotary movement of the handle 72 with respect to the pawl H is prevented.

Handle 68 is provided with a pair of apertures 15 and 18. A pin H is carried by the pawl manipulating handle 12 and extends upwardly into aperture 15 in which it is freely slidable. A coil spring 18 embraces pin 11 and functions to urge the pawl manipulating handle 12 away from handle 68. At the outer end of the handle 12 a pin 19 is rigidly carried being secured to the handle by a set screw 80. Pin 19 extends upwardly into aperture 16 provided in handle 68 wherein said pin is slidably movable. The arrangement is such that spring 18 normally urges pawl manipulating handle 72 downwardly thereby urging pawl into contact with the ratchet teeth 63. By moving the pawl manipulating handle 12 against the compression of spring 18 the pawl H may be disengaged from the ratchet teeth 93. By the provision of the spaced pin 11 and 19 the pawl manipulating handle 12 may be caused to move rectilinearly without binding.

A bearing block 8| is rigidly carried upon a pin 82 which is journalled in a sleeve 83 positioned in an aperture in arm 66, the pin 82 being freely rotatable within the sleeve 83. The block 3| is provided with an aperture in which the threaded end of rod 4| is positioned. A pair of rods 84 engage with the threads adjacent the end of rod 4| and function as a stop limiting axial movement of rod M with respect to block 8| in one direction. A pair of nuts 85 are threadedly engaged adjacent the end of rod 4| on the opposite side of block 8| and a coil spring 86 embraces that portion of rod 4| between block 3| and nuts 85.

A block 86 similar to block 8| is carried upon a pin 8'! which is journalled in a sleeve 88 positioned in an aperture provided in an arm 86. Block 96' is provided with an aperture adapted to receive rod 48, said rod being freely movable in the aperture provided in block 86'. A pair of nuts 89 are threadedly engaged with rod 48 and function to limit axial movement of the rod 48 with respect to block 86' when said rod is moved in one direction. A pair of nuts 9|! are threadedly carried at the end of rod 48 on the opposite side of block 96' and a coil spring 9| embraces that portion of rod 48 between nuts 90 and block 86'.

The arrangement is such that by moving arm 66 about the pivot pin 6| opposite axial movements may be imparted to rods 4| and 48. As viewed in Fig. 2 when arm 66 is moved in a clockwise direction blocks 8| and 86 respectively compress springs 88 and 9|. In this fashion rods 4| and 48 are resiliently moved to move the bearing blocks 49 and 41 of the toggle joints inwardly. This operation tends to bring the respective links of the toggle joints into alignment whereby the jaws associated with the toggle arrangements tend to resiliently clamp the end members I8 of the impression panel. By the provision of the pawl and ratchet arrangement hereinbefore described the jaws may be maintained in resilient clamping relationship with respect to said end members. To release the jaws it is merely necessary to move the pawl manipulating handle 12 toward handle 68 whereby the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet teeth 93 and the jaws disengage the end members |8. By the provision of the resilient clamping arrangement hereinbefore described both end members |8 may be securely clamped in position even though the thickness of said end members may vary since a small difference in thickness is compensated for by the difference in degree of compression of springs 86 and 9|.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, a gib 92 is mounted upon frame member 3 by means of screws 93. A similar gib 94 is mounted upon frame member 2 opposite the gib 92, the gib 94 being secured to the frame member 2 by means of screws (not shown). The gib 92 carries an extension 95 which is provided with an aperture to receive a shaft 96. Similarly gib 94 carries an extension 9'5 provided with an aperture in which shaft 95 .is journalled .at its opposite end.

A collar 58 is positioned upon an intermediate portion of rod 4i being rigidly secured thereto by means of set screw 99. A rod 10a is rigidly secured to collar 98 and carries .adjacent its upper end a, block IllI. A shaft I02 is rigidly carried by block Ill! and functions as a pivot pin for one end of bell crank lever 563, said lever being pivotally mounted upon one end of shaft 96. The opposite arm of lever I63 is provided with a slot I94 in which a pin I05 is positioned.

At the opposite end of shaft 96 a link I66 is ri idly secured to said shaft. The link IE6 is provided with a slot adjacent its end similar to slot II! in which a pin I] is loosely positioned.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1A and 2A, a pair of gibs H68 and H39 are positioned respectively upon frame members 3 and 2. Each of the 'gibs have extensions H0 in which a shaft EH is journalled. A collar H2 is carried intermediate the length of rod #8 and is rigidly secured thereto by means of set screw H3. Rod I M is rigidly carried by collar H2 and in turn at its upper end carries block H5. A pin H6 is rigidly secured to block H and is journalled in one end of bell crank lever H1. The bell crank lever II! is pivoted upon one end of shaft iii. The opposite end of the bell crank lever Ill is provided with a slot H8 in which a pin H9 is freely positioned. A link I is rigidly carried at the opposite end of shaft III and is provided with a slot, similar to slot H8 adjacent its free end in which a pin I'2I is loosely positioned.

Disposed between the gibs 92 and $4 in alignment with slots I22 in said gibs is a horizontal guide frame I23 (Fig. 6). The guide frame I23 comprises opposite end members '24 and I25 and an upper cross member I26 and a lower cross member I21. The cross members I26 and G2? are secured to the end members I25 and I25 by countersunk screws I28, only one pair of which is illustrated. A spacer I29 is formed integral with each of the end members I24 and H25 whereby the upper and lower bars I26 and I2! respectively are supported in proper spaced relationship to each other.

The horizontal guide frame I23 is adapted for vertical reciprocatory movement, its lower position being determined by set screws E30 positioned in lugs I3I comprising a portion of the opposite gibs 92 and 94. The end frame members I24 and IE5 carry integral extensions I32 which, at the lowermost position of the frame I23 rest upon the ends of screws I30. The screws I30 are threadedly positioned in the lugs I3I and may be locked in a desired position by means of nuts I33 which bear against the lower surface of the lugs I31.

Referring particularly to Fig. '7 a similar horizontal guide frame I3 3 is carried between the oppcsite gihs E88 and N39. The frame !34 comprises end members i35 and I38 and upper and lower frame members i3"! and i 38 respectively.

The end members and E35 are secured to the upper and lower frame members It? and I38 by means of screws (not shown) similar to the screws hereinbefore described in conjunction with the guide frame 523. The end members 535 and I36 carry spacers I39 which function to properly space the upper and lower bars I31 and 538 from each other.

&

Each of the gibs m3 and I89 carry outwardly extending lugs 36 in which screws I ii are threadedly positioned, the lower frame member or I 33 being provided with opposite extensions hi2 which when the frame 3 1 is in its lowermost position rest upon the ends of the screws IAI. Lock nuts i453 function to maintain said screws in a desired adjusted position.

Pins I and It? positioned in the slots 422 provided in the gibs 92 and 94 are rigidly connected to the upper portion of the guide frame I23 preferably by means of welding. The "arrangement is such that when rod :ZI moves outwardly when handle 88 is manipulated to swing arm 58, the bell crank lever m3 is rocked in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, thereby raising the slotted end of the bell crank lever and raising both pins H35 and EM. The pins I55 and it? being guided in the slots 52?. move vertically upwardly thereby moving the guide frame !23 vertically upwardly. When the arm 85 is released so as to move rod inwardly with respect to the machine the bell. crank lever 50 swings in the opposite direction and consequently the guide frame I23 moves vertically downwardly until the extensions i32 rest upon the ends of screws ltd.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1A and 2A pins H9 and lZi are respectively positioned in slots I provided in the opposite gibs and Hail. The lid and it! are rigidly connected to guide frame referably by weld; arrangenient bein .ich that when rod is moved ith respect to the macl-iine the bell crank lever pin i2i is simultaneous y raised by the rocking of the arm l In this fashion the guide frame I35 is raised and lowered in a manner similar to and simultaneo' .ly with the raising and lowering of the guide frame 823.

A hearing bra ket i g mounted upon the and member i of th reach 9, said bracket carrying a bearing Hit. A similar bracket H3"! is mounted upcn the end member at the opposite end of the machine, said bracket carrying bearing Hi8. A shaft U153 is journalled adjacent its opposite ends in the bearings MS and M8.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and '6 a sprocket wheel 25% carried by hub 55! is rigidly mounted upon shaft MS adjacent bearing Hi6 and a sprocket chain N32 is trained around the sprocket wheel 59. A stub shaft i533 is carried by the end member and extends inwai 1 with respect to the machine, said shaft carrying a sprocket wheel i 5. which is loosely mounted upon the shaft M53. The sprocket chain i5 2 also trained around sprocket wheel I5 3, the latter being driven from shaft M9.

An arm I55 carried by a hub which is rigidly connected to the hub of the sprocket wheel I5 and turns therewith. At the-end of the. arm 55 a shaft 15? s carried and a T rotating roller 558 is carried upon the crad e)? he shaft I57.

A sprocket wheel I58 (Fig. 1A) carried upon hub I59 which in turn is keyed to shaft Mt. A sprocket chain I555 is trained around sprocket wheel I58 and is adapted to drive a sprocket wheel I64 freely rotatable upon a shaft I52 "Fi '7), the latter being carried by the end frame member 5 and extending inwardly with respect thereto. An arm 63 carried by hub M4 is rigidly connected to the hub of the sprocket wheel Hi and the end of arm I63 carries a shaft I65 upon which a roller I66 is freely rotatable.

it will be noted that both arms I55 and I63 are driven from shaft, Hi9, said arms being rotated about the stub shafts I53 and I62 respec tively in timed relationship with each other. A horizontally slidable gib IE1 is provided with a vertical slot I68, the slot being defined by inwardly extending shoulders I66 (Fig. 1) and the roller I58 is adapted to be positioned within the slot I68. The horizontally slidable gib I67 carries a block I (Fig. 2 which is confined between the upper and lower bars I and 521 respectively of the frame I23. The arrangement is such that whenarm I55 is rotated roller I58 operating in slot I66 functions to reciprocate the gib E61, the block I10 riding'between the two bars I25 and I21 of frame I23 and being guided by said bars for horizontal motion;

A similar gib I1| provided with a vertical slot I12 is positionedat the opposite end of the machine, the slot I12 being defined by the inwardly extending shoulders I13 (Fig. 1A). The roller I66 is positioned in the slot I12, being confined therein by the shoulders I13. The gib ITII carries a block (not shown) which is slidably positioned between the upper and lower bars I31 and I38 respectively of the frame'l34. The arrangement is such that rotation of the arm I63 results in reciprocation of the gib III, the block carried by said gib sliding between the bars I31 and I38. It canreadily be seen that in view of the fact that arms I55 and IE3 rotate in unison the gibs It; and HI move horizontally backwardly and forwardly in timed relationship to each other.

A pair of angle irons I15 are mounted upon a portion I15 of gib III which extends beyond the frame I36. The angle irons I14 at their ends are provided with upturned plates I16 which are secured to the member I15 by means of screws iii. A pair of transverse angle irons I15 are mounted inspaced relationship upon the angle irons 51-6, the angle irons I18 being provided with slots I29 for the reception of screws I86, the arrangement being such that angle irons I18 are movable transversely with respect to the angle irons I14 a distance determined by the length of the slots I19.

Referring particularly to Fig. '1 a vacuum hood I8I is carried by the angle irons I15. The vacuum'hood I8I comprises an inlet collar I82, a connecting conduit I83 and divided vacuum legs I84 and I85. The legs I84 andl85 are similar to each other and each is of hollow construction havingmouth portions I86 and I81 respectively. The mouth portions, when the frame I34 is in its lowermost position, being positioned above and adjacent to the transverse slats 2| of the impression panel carried by the machine. An angle member I88 is disposed at the crotch of the legs I84 and I85 to reinforce the structure. I I

The connecting conduit I83 of the vacuurr hood I8I is'rigidly secured to the transverse angle irons I18 preferably by welding and said conduit also carries a pair of channel brackets I89 which are disposed on opposite sides of the hood ISL The channel brackets I39 have downwardly extending flanges I38 which are apertured to receive a rod IS! The rod I5! also passes through apertures provided in the opposite angle irons I14, the rod IQI having a hexagon head'I52 at oneend and carrying a nut I53 at the opposite end. Coil springs I95 embrace opposite portions of the rod I6I and are confined between'the flanges I96 of the channel brackets I89 and the flanges of the angle irons It' l. I The arrangement is such that when the gib l1! 10 is reciprocated horizontally by the rotation of arm I63 the angle irons I14 are carried transversely to their length in a horizontal direction. The vacuum hood I BI is mounted in a floating fashion upon the angle irons I14 and as a result of the movement of the angle irons, as described,

the vacuum hood is moved in a reciprocating fashion. In so moving the vacuum hood the mouths I86 and IE1 of the vacuum legs I84 and I85 move adjacent the upper surfaces of the slats 2I and parallel to said slats. Ihe timing arrangement is such that with one complete revolution of shaft I49, shaft I 52 makes one complete revolution and the vacuum hood is moved so as to move the mouths I86 and I81 forwardly and backwardly in the spaces provided between the side frame members I? and the central frame member I6 of the impression panel.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, a similar vacuum hood I is carried upon a pair of angle irons I66 which are secured at their ends by means of screws I91 to a portion of the gib I61 which extends beyond the frame I23. The angle irons I96 carry a pair of transverse angle irons I98 which are mounted for relative transverse movement with respect to the angle irons I 96. The vacuum hood I65 is rigidly secured to the transverse angle irons I98 and the mounting arrangement is in all respects similar to the arrangement hereinbefore described with regard t the vacuum hood I3 I.

Rotation of the shaft I A9 functions to rotate arm I55 which, in turn, causes the gib I61 to reciprocate horizontally. This movement is imparted to vacuum hood I95, the mouths of which move adjacent to and parallel with the slats 2| of the impression member. To rigidify the structure comprising vacuum hoods IBI and I65 an angle member I99 is secured at each of its ends to the hoods I 8! and I35. If desired the adjacent mouths of the vacuum members I8I and I95, although separate, may be welded together as indicated at 266 in Fig. 1.

To facilitate the flow of air through the vacuum hoods baflles 25!, 262 and 263 may be positioned within each of the hoods (Figs. 8, 9 and 10),

During the period that the projections 24 carried by the impression panel enter the mass of starch I6 as the frame of the printer mechanism descends, the impression panel is subjected to a series of impacts or raps which facilitate the forming of well defined indentations in the body of the starch. To accomplish this operation a mutilated ratchet wheel .264 is mounted upon shaft I53, that is, the shaft which reciprocates the gib I61. A bar 205 carried upon a collar 266 (Figs. 4, 5 and 13) extends upwardly "from said collar and adjacent the top of the frame of the machine is bent at right angles to itself as indicated at 266 in Fig. 4. At the end of said bar a pawl 201 is carried by means of screws 268, said pawl being adapted for engagement with the teeth 269 of the ratchet wheel 223 i. 7

The sleeve 206 is carried upon pin 2|!) which in turn is journalled in bearing 2| I carried upon plate'2l2 which is mounted upon the lower portion of the frame of the machine, the plate 2I2 being adjustably secured by means of screws 2 I3 which engage in slots 2I4 provided in the plate 2 I2.

' Another bar 2I5 is rigidly secured at its end to collar 206, said latter bar being disposed at right angles to the bar 205. The opposite end of bar 2I5 extends inwardly toward the central portion of the machine and terminates immediately above the central frame member I9 of the impression panel. A relatively short connecting bar 2I5 is rigidly fastened to the end of bar 2I5 and projects downwardly therefrom. At the end of the bar 2 I 5 a rapping member 2 I I is rigidly carried, said member being disposed adjacent the upper portion of the central frame member H9 and being positioned substantially parallel to said central frame member.

At the opposite end of the frame of the printing mechanism a mutilated ratchet wheel 2I8 is mounted upon shaft I62, the ratchet wheel 2I8 being identical in construction with the ratchet wheel 294 and being positioned upon shaft I62 with its teeth occupying the same angular position as the teeth upon the ratchet wheel 294. A bar arrangement identical with the bars 205, 296, 2I5 and 2I6 is associated with the ratchet wheel 2 I8, the bar corresponding to the bar 206 carrying a pawl which is engageable with the teeth of the ratchet wheel H8. The bar corresponding to the bar 2 i3 is connected rigidly to the op posite end of the rapping bar 2H.

The arrangement is such that during rotation of the shaft I49 the shafts I53 and I62 are rotated in step therewith and the position of the ratchet wheels 294 and 2I9 upon their respective shafts causes the bar arrangement, hereinbefore described, to oscillate about their respective bearing points. rapping bar 2!? is raised and lowered in quick succession thereby imparting to the central frame member I9 a series of sharp impacts which are transmitted to the projections 24 facilitating their entrance into the mass of starch.

Referring particularly to Fig. l a screw 2I9 is threadedly positioned in a portion of the end frame member 4, said screw carrying a projection 229 of relatively restricted diameter. A compression spring 221 embraces the projection 229 and engages with the end of bar 296 (Fig. 4) thereby tending to rock the bar assembly in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4 about the pivot pin 2I9. When the pawls carried by the bars engage the teeth of the mutilated ratchet wheels the rocking motion imparted to the bar assembly acts against the compressional force of spring 22I. The arrangement is such that the pawl teeth tend to lift the rapping bar 2H and the spring 22I tends to cause said bar to descend into sharp contact with the central frame member I9.

As has been hereinbefore described the printer mechanism I is periodically moved downwardly and upwardly in timed relationship to the passage of trays I5 upon the conveyor id. The mechanism for lowering and raising the printer device I is described as follows: A bracket 222 is mounted upon the upper portion of the end frame member 4 and is secured thereto by means of screws 223. The bracket 222 carries a collar 224 in which one end of a rod 225 is carried. At the opposite end of the machine a bracket 225 is secured to the upper end of end frame member 5 by means of screws 22?, the bracket 22B carrying a collar 228 in which the opposite end of rod 225 is positioned.

Rod 225 extends beyond collar 224 and a sleeve 229 embraces the extending end of the rod. The sleeve carries a bearing 239 in which a vertical drive shaft 23I is journalled. A collar 232 is rigidly positioned upon the shaft 23I and abuts the lower portion of bearing 239. A sprocket wheel 233 is rigidly secured to shaft 23I and a sprocket chain 234' is trained around the sprocket In this fashion the I wheel 233. At the opposite end of the machine a sleeve 235 embraces an extending end of rod 225 and carries a bearing 233 in which a shaft 23'! is journalled. A collar 238 is rigidly carried upon shaft 23! and is adapted to abut the lower surface of the bearing 235. A sprocket wheel 239 is rigidly carried upon shaft 231 and sprocket chain 234 is trained around the sprocket wheel 239.

Shaft 23I extends above sprocket wheel 233 and carries adjacent its upper end a handle wheel 249 which is rigidly secured to shaft 23L Similarly, shaft 231 extends above sprocket wheel 239 and a nut 24l is secured to the upper end of said shaft. A coil spring 242 embraces shaft 23l between hand wheel 249 and sprocket wheel 233 and a coil spring 243 embraces shaft 231 between nut 24I and sprocket wheel 239. The arrangement is such that by rotation of hand wheel 240 shafts 23I and 231 are simultaneously rotated, sprocket wheels 233 and 239 being of the same size whereby shafts 231 and 231 rotate simultaneously through equal angular distances.

Referring particularly to Figs. 14 and 15, shaft 23 I at its lower end is provided with screw threads 244 which engage with a sleeve 245. Similarly, the lower end of shaft 231 is provided with screw threads 246 which engage with an internally threaded sleeve 241. The sleeve 245 is integrally secured to a cam roller support 249 and sleeve 24? is integrally secured to a similar cam roller support 249. A cam roller 259 is carried by the support 248 and a similar cam roller 25I is carried by the support 249.

The reference numeral 252 indicates a drive shaft which at one end is associated with the main drive of the conventional candy making machine. At the opposite end of the drive shaft a-bevel gear 253 is carried, said gear being adapted to mesh with a bevel gear 254 carried upon a shaft 255 which is journalled in the opposite main frame members I9 and II. At the opposite end of shaft 255 a spur gear 256 is mounted, said gear meshing with an idler gear 25? journalled upon shaft 258 which is carried by the frame member I9. The idler gear 25'! meshes with a spur gear 259 journalled upon shaft 235 also carried by the frame member ID. Gear 259, in turn, meshes with idler gear 261 journalled upon shaft 252 carried upon frame member I9 and the idler gear 26I meshes with spur gear 293 carried upon a transverse shaft 264 which is journalled in the main frame members I9 and I I.

A earn 295 having an internal cam slot 255 is mounted upon an end of shaft 254 exteriorly of the frame member I9 and a similar cam 261 having an internal cam slot 269 is mounted upon the opposite end of shaft 264 exteriorly of the main frame member I I. Cam roller support 248 is provided with a slot 259 which embraces that portion of shaft 284 included between cam 255 and spur gear 233 and cam roller support 249 is provided with a similar slot 210 which embraces that portion of shaft 264 included between cam 251 and a spacer bearing 21! mounted upon the exterior face of the main frame member II.

The arrangement is such that rotation of the drive shaft 252 imparts rotation to the transverse shaft 255. Through the agency of the various gears hereinbefore described this rotation is imparted to the cam shaft 264 whereby cams 265 and 297 are rotated. The rotation of the cams 295 and 237 impart a reciprocatory motion to the shafts 23i and 237i. Upward movement of 13 said shaft raises the rod 225 which is secured to the frame of the printer mechanism by means of collars 224 and 228. As has been hereinbefore described the drive of the machine is such that the chain conveyor I4 moves in stepwise fashion. This same stepwise movement of shaft 252 also obtains, the timing being such that one tray moves forwardly from beneath the printer I and another tray occupies the position beneath the printer mechanism while shaft 252 is making one revolution. During the period that a tray I5 dwells beneath the printer mechanism the shaft 252 makes one revolution which imparts to the printer mechanism I one complete cycle of reciprocatory motion. In other words, while chain I4 is in motion shaft 252 remains stationary and conversely when chain I4 is stationary shaft 252 rotates to lower and raise the printer mechanism I. v

Referring particularly to- Fig. 14, an arm 2'! is pivotally connected upon the pivot pin 260 which in turn is supported by the main frame member III. A spur gear 213 is mounted upon a shaft 2'14 carried at the end of the arm 212, the spur gear 273 being adapted to mesh with spur gear 259. A sprocket wheel 215 is also mounted upon shaft 274 carried at the end of arm 272, said sprocket wheel and spur gear 213 moving as a unit.

A clevis 215 is connected to shaft 214 and a rod 211 is threadedly connected to the clevis. The rod at its upper end is threadedly connected to clevis 218 which in turn embraces shaft M9. A sprocket wheel 219 is rigidly carried upon shaft Hi9 and a sprocket chain 285 is trained around sprocket wheels 215 and 213. In this fashion shaft I45 together with the various elements hereinbefore described operated by rotation of said shaft, is driven by shaft 252 in timed relationship with the forward passage of the trays I5 and the lowering and raising of the printer mechanism I.

As has been hereinbefore described, hand wheel 240 functions to rotate shaft 23I and by means of sprocket chain 234 rotation is simultaneously imparted to shaft 237. The sprocket wheels over which the sprocket chain 234 is trained bear a one-to-one relationship to each other and consequently shafts 23I and 231 are rotated in identical fashion. Rotation ofshafts 23I and 231 functions to change the eifective lengths of said shafts inasmuch as the threaded ends 24-4 and 246 of said shafts respectively engage in the sleeves 245 and 241 of the cam roller supports 248 and 249. By controlling the effective lengths of rods 23I and 231 the degree of vertical movement of the printing mechanism I is controlled. This, in turn, controls the depth to which the projections 24 penetrate into the starch mass I6.

As has been hereinbefore described, the rapping bar 2I'I is normally urged by spring 22I toward the central frame member I9 of the impression panel.

member I9 and is supported thereby. When it is desired to change impression panels a mechanism, hereinafter described, is provided for raising the rapping bar ZI'I so that the impression panel may be slid beneath the frame of the printing mechanism withoutbeing obstructed by the rapping bar which would normally occupy a position beneath the plane of the upper surfaces of the frame members I! and I9 of the impression panel when said panel is slid into place.

Normally the rapping bar 2I'I rests upon the upper portion of the central frame the upper end of arm 28! and projects through an elongated slot 285 provided inlever arm 286.

The lever arm 286 is carried upon a shaft 28! which is journalled in the end frame member 4. Shaft 28? on the inner side of the end frame member 4 carries a lug 288 which is positioned immediately beneath bar 2I5 comprising a portion of the rapping mechanism.

When the arm 66 is manipulated by handle 58 to move rods 4| and 48, the movement of rod 4I, depending upon the axial direction in which the rod moves, will raise or lower the shaft 53. When the rod III is so moved as to release the frame members I8 of the impression panel the shaft 53 is raised thereby raising the lever arm 285. This operation rotates shaft 28? thereby raising lug 288 into contact with the bar 2I5. Upward movement of the bar 2I5 raises the rapping bar 2 II above the surface of the central frame member I9 and said bar is maintained in such upraised position until arm 55 is manipulated to lock another impression frame upon the machine. The operation of locking the impression frame lowers the shaft 53 and rotates the lug 253 away from the lower portion of bar 2 I5 thereby permitting the rapping bar 2 II to resume its normal position on top of the central frame member I9.

In operation, prior to the passage on the conveyor I4 of the starch trays I5 the printing mechanism I is brought to its upraised position. The arm 65 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 thereby opening the clamping jaws 52 and 5B. Simultaneously the rapping bar 2 I! is raised by the rotation of the lug 288. The machine is then in position to receive an impression panel.

The impression panel is positioned beneath the machine by sliding the frame members into supported contact upon the jaws 52 and 58. At this period of operation, as hereinbefore described, the jaws are open to the extent to permit the free passage of the frame members I8 of the impression panel between the jaws 52 and 58 and the lower portion of the printing mechanism frame. The frame is moved upon the surface of the jaws until it contacts a pair of stops 289 which are secured to the frame member 2 by means of screws 290 (Fig. 3). The stops 289 function as an indexing device for properly positioning the impression panel beneath the printer mechanism I.

With the impression panel properly disposed, as hereinbefore described, the arm '56 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2. This operation causes the jaws 52 and 58 to clamp the frame members I3 of the impression panel securely to the lower face of the frame of the printing mechanism I. In view of the fact that both rods 4| and 48 are biased by springs and 9| respectively the arm 66 can be moved so as to engage pawl 'II with a desired ratchet tooth 63. In other words, the impression frame is resiliently clamped to the lower portion of the printer mechanism.

As a feature of the present invention it can readily be seen that an impression panel may be mounted or removed from the printer mechanism in a most convenient manner, it being necessary only to move the panel upon the open jaws 52 and hi to the indexed. position determined by the stops. 2% and then to manipulate the arm to resiliently clamp the impression panel in place. During the operation of sliding the impression panel. upon the jaws 5'32 and 58 the. rapping bar 2H. is in upraised position and offers no obstruction to. the movement of the impression panel into proper position.

Operation of the candy making machine, as a. whole, may then commence and the conveyor chains 6 carry a tray iii beneath the printer mechanism while said mechanism is maintained in upraised position by means of the rods 23 l and 231-. The timing arrangement between the candy making machine proper and the printer mechanism is such that when the conveyor chain 14 stops to position a tray beneath the printer mechanism shaft commences rotating.

The rotation of shaft cause the rotation of the cam shaft and hence cams 265 and 267 are rotate in un. on. Through the agency of the cam rollers and 255i operating in the slots 2:55 and 2 58 respectively the rods 23! and 231 are moved downwardly thereby carrying the entire printer mechanism, downwardly.

Through the of gears and 253 and sprocket chain shaft ltt is rotated during the period that the mechanism 2 is descending.

The rotation of shaft his causes lateral or hori- After a predetermined downward movement of the mold members or prothe mechanism 5 jections 2% contact the upper surface of the starch mass it carried in the tray l5 and said projections tend to embed themselves in the upper surface of said starch mass. At this period continued rotation of shaft 139 brings the teeth 209 of the ratchet wheel 25ml into contact with the pawl 253?. In View of the fact that a similar ratchet wheel 2H3 is positioned at the opposite end of the'printer mechanism, the teeth of both ratchet wheels engage their respective pawls simultaneously. The bar arrangement associated with each ratchet wheel is thereby rocked causing the rapping bar 25? to be raised until the pawls pass over the high points of the ratchet teeth. The spring 22! then functions to lower the rapping bar with a sharp impact. This operation is continued and the impacts received by the central frame member it are imparted to the projections 2 as said projections move into the body of the starch. This rapping operation facilitates the formation of clear-cut indentations in the starch body.

During the operation of providing indentations in the starch body, the projections 24 displace the starch in the upper portion of the mass. Heretofore difficulty has been encountered in that the action of the projections displacing the starch in order to form the indentations has given rise to the formation of dust, that is, finely divided starch particles arise from the face of the starch mass. As the operation proceeds, such finely divided particles arising in the form of starch dust tend to clog the openings 22 between adjacent slats. When this condition. arises the lowering of the printer mechanism tends to compress the air confined betweenthe impression panel and the face of the starch mass. Said air cannot escape upwardly through the screen 23 and slots (iii 22 if said: slots are clogged; hence the air escapes laterally parallel to the face of the starch mass. This rapidv movement of the air tends to increase the formation of. starch dust. After the indentations have been provided and the printer mechanism is raised, with the slots 22 clogged, a condition of vacuum is established between the face of. the starch mass and the impression panel. Thiscondition tends to displace starch particles and cause them to be deposited in the indentations and also tends to augment the formation of; starch dust.

Asa feature of the present invention the vacuumv mouths 186 and Hill of both of the vacuum hoods are disposed closely adjacent the upper surfaces of the slats. 2i and hence clogging of the. slots 22 and the wire 23 is effectively prevented. As has beenv hereinbefore described all during the period that the printer mechanism is lowering and raising the mouths H36 and I81 of the vacuum. hoods traverse the impression panel in the manner described thereby removing all starch which may be displaced inthe form of starch dust due to the formation. of the indentations. After the indentations have been provided in the starch carried by the tray beneath the printing mechanism and the mechanism I has been raised by the operation of the cams 265 and 25's shaft 252 stops with the mechanism in upraised position as shown in Fig. 1% and the conveyor chain M moves forwardly until the. next adjacent tray is positioned beneath the printer mechanism I. The operation of printing or forming the indentations in the starch mass is thereupon repeated.

To facilitate the lowering and raising of mechanism E an arm 29!. is pivotally mounted as at 292 in Fig. 14 upon a portion of the frame 10. At one end of the arm a rod 293 is pivotally carried, said rod carrying a counterweight 294. An extension of rod 293, designated by the numeral 295, is guided for vertical motion in lug 29.6 secured to the face of frame It. The opposite end of the, lever arm 29! is pivotally connected as at 29,? to an arm 293- which ismounted upon a shaft 259' carried upon the sliding plate 6.

Referring particularly to Fig. 15, a similar counterweight arrangement is employed comprising counterweight 3% mounted upon shaft Bill which is pivotally connected to arm 302 which in turnis connected by means of arm 383 tothe slidable plate "I.

It is apparent that herein is contemplated a printer for a candy making machine which is provided with means whereby an impression panel may be employed for long periods of time without removal from the machine for purposes of cleaning, and in addition, means is also provided'for quickly and conveniently removing and mounting an impression panel upon the printer when necessity requires a. change of impression panels.

Tclaim as my invention:

1. A machine for providing mold indentations in a mass of'finely divided mold material which comprises, a printer frame, an impression panel carried by saidframe, projections upon the lower faceof said impression panel, means for moving frame downwardly to cause said projections to penetrate into a mass of mold material carried-oeneath the frame,- a vacuum hood in which a conditionofvacuum exists positioned upon said frame'abovesaid'impression panel having an inlet: month. positioned adjacent and above said impression panel, and means formoving said hood. 

